Contemporary Musicianship (B.A.)

The B.A. in Contemporary Musicianship (BACM) is designed to prepare the practicing musician for the 21st century cultural economy. Students will learn to capitalize on their artistic product through courses in marketing, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit management. They will learn to prepare a deliverable for various sectors of the industry through courses in music technology, studio production, song writing, scoring and arranging. The degree also provides ample space for electives, allowing students to tailor their degree to their career goals, e.g. courses in Business, Information Technology, Creative Writing, or New Media and Communications. 

Music students have the option of two tracks: performance and industry.  The industry track will help students as they prepare for work in the music business, ranging from songwriting to music management.  The performance track (successful audition required) will allow the option of two concentrations: classical and commercial. All students will study standard technique through classical repertoire for the first two years. The final two years, students can choose to remain in a classical concentration, or transition to a commercial concentration, where they apply their technical study to various genres ranging from country to R&B to gospel. Consequently, students will acquire an omnicultural musical language that will equip them to move between various cultural marketplaces, and serve a rapidly expanding entertainment sector in Georgia. 

The Performance Track in the BACM is an auditioned program.

Core Curriculum

See list of requirements

Area F: Lower Division Major Requirements (Credit: 18 hours)

Required Courses (Credit: 15 hours)

MUSC 1101Elementary Theory I

2 credits

MUSC 1102Sight-singing/Ear-training I

1 credits

MUSC 1103Elementary Theory II

2 credits

MUSC 1104Sight-singing/Ear-training II

1 credits

MUSC 2201Intermediate Music Theory I

2 credits

MUSC 2202Sight Singing / Ear Training III

1 credit

MUSA 1111Lower Level Applied

2 credits

MUSA 1112Lower Level Applied

2 credits

MUSA 2111Lower Level Applied

2 credits

Students may study different instruments at the 1000-level, but all applied lessons at the 2000-level or higher should be on the same instrument.

Ensembles (Credit: 3 hours)

Take three of any of the following ensemble classes. 

MUSC 1078Classical Guitar Ensemble

1 credits

MUSC 1079Classical Guitar Ensemble

1 credits

MUSC 2078Classical Guitar Ensemble

1 credits

OR

MUSC 1080University Band

1 credits

MUSC 1081University Band

1 credits

MUSC 2080University Band

1 credits

OR

MUSC 1082Jazz Ensemble

1 credits

MUSC 1083Jazz Ensemble

1 credits

MUSC 2082Jazz Ensemble

1 credits

OR

MUSC 1088Woodwind Ensemble

1 credits

MUSC 1089Woodwind Ensemble

1 credits

MUSC 2088Woodwind Ensemble

1 credits

OR

MUSC 1090Chamber Singers

1 credits

MUSC 1091Chamber Singers

1 credits

MUSC 2090Chamber Singers

1 credits

Note: Each of these courses has a co-requisite of the appropriate 1000/2000-level applied lesson.

To remain in good standing with the program, students must make a C or better in all Area F courses.  A student may not take a course a third time without permission from the Music Faculty and the Dean.

Total Credit Hours: 18 

Major Area Courses - Common Curriculum (Credit: 21 hours)

These courses are required of all music majors regardless of chosen track of study. 

Upper Level Core Classes (Credit: 12 hours)

MUSC 1500Foundations in Music Technology

3 credits

MUSC 3999Special Topics in Music

3 credits

MUSC 4200Fundamentals of Music Entrepreneurship

3 credits

MUSC 4999Senior Capstone

3 credits

Upper Level Ensembles (Credit: 3 hours)

Students should take three ensemble classes at the 3000-level based on area of interest.  The same class may be repeated for credit. 

MUSC 3070Commercial Combos

1 credit

MUSC 3078Guitar Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 3080University Band

1 credit

MUSC 3082Jazz Band

1 credit

MUSC 3084Brass Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 3086Percussion Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 3088Woodwind Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 3090Chamber Singers

1 credit

MUSC 3092Gospel Chorus

1 credit

Music Business Course (Credit: 3 hours)

Students should select one of the following courses.

MUSC 4250Survey of the Entertainment Industry

3 credits

MUSC 4260Arts Nonprofit Management

3 credits

Music History Course (Credit: 3 hours)

Students should select one of the following courses.

MUSC 3321Music History I

3 credits

MUSC 3322Music History II

3 credits

Total Credit Hours: 21

Performance Track (Credit: 39 hours)

The concentrations for the performance track for the B.A. in Contemporary Musicianship are delivered in the Upper Level Applied and Upper Level Ensemble courses. There are two concentrations: Classical and Commercial. Students declare their concentration at the Junior Barrier jury which concludes their second year of study. Private, applied lessons in the junior and senior year will be tailored to each student's selected concentration. Students will consult with their advisor to select upper level ensembles which support development of the concentration. 

Upper Level Applied: Emphasis (Credit: 10 hours)

A Junior Barrier must be passed for admission to Upper Level Applied.

Choose from one of two concentrations: Classical or Commercial.

Students must study the same instrument at the 2000, 3000, and 4000 levels. 

MUSA 2112Lower Level Applied

2 credits

MUSA 3111Upper Level Applied

2 credits

MUSA 3112Upper Level Applied

2 credits

MUSA 4111Upper Level Applied

2 credits

MUSA 4112Upper Level Applied

2 credits

Upper Level Emphasis Ensemble (Credit: 2 hours)

Choose 2 hours from the following:

MUSC 2079Classical Guitar Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 2081University Band

1 credits

MUSC 2083Jazz Ensemble

1 credits

MUSC 2089Woodwind Ensemble

1 credits

MUSC 2091Chamber Singers

1 credits

MUSC 3070Commercial Combos

1 credit

MUSC 3078Guitar Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 3080University Band

1 credit

MUSC 3082Jazz Band

1 credit

MUSC 3084Brass Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 3086Percussion Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 3088Woodwind Ensemble

1 credit

MUSC 3090Chamber Singers

1 credit

MUSC 3092Gospel Chorus

1 credit

Theory (Credit: 3 hours)

Students should take these classes during their sophomore year to complete foundational work for success with upper level classes. 

MUSC 2203Intermediate Music Theory II

2 credits

MUSC 2204Sight Singing / Ear Training IV

1 credit

Composition Courses (Credit: 3 hours)

Students should choose one of these courses in composition that aligns with their area of expertise.

MUSC 3800Contemporary Songwriting

03

MUSC 3100Contemporary Scoring and Arranging

03

Music History (Credit: 3 hours)

Students should choose one of the following courses so long as it is different from the one selected in the upper level core.

MUSC 3321Music History I

3 credits

MUSC 3322Music History II

3 credits

Open Electives (Credit: 18 hours)

Students should consult with an advisor in selecting open electives in order to help them align with career goals.  Students are encouraged to consider a professional minor.

Students must complete at least 39 semester hours of upper level classes in their degree program. 

Total Credit Hours: 39

Industry Track (Credit: 39 hours)

Students pursuing the Industry Track are preparing for careers in the music business that includes working for publishers, recording studios, etc. 

Required Minor or Certificate (Credit: 15-18 hours)

Students choose a minor in Business, Information Technology, or the Georgia Film Academy certificate.  (A student may consult with an advisor to request an alternative minor if it supports career objectives.) 

Notes: Students must complete at least 39 semester hours of upper level classes.

Total Credit Hours: 39

Music Business Course (Credit: 3 hours)

Students should select one of the following courses.

MUSC 4250Survey of the Entertainment Industry

3 credits

MUSC 4260Arts Nonprofit Management

3 credits

This course should be different from the one taken in the upper level core. 

Open Electives (Credit: 18-21 hours)

Though the student may select any courses for this requirement, there is a 39 semester hour requirement of upper level classes for graduation.  Student should discuss career goals with their advisor to help with this selection.  In some cases, a second minor is advantageous. 

Total Semester Credit Hours: 120